Automated induction systems and methods for mail and/or other objects

Abstract

In some embodiments, a system for automated loading of a side-by-side stack of thin objects to a feeder is provided. The system can include, e.g.: a) a transporter having a transport surface upon which a side-by-side stack of thin objects can be conveyed; b) a carrier, configured to carry a side-by-side stack of thin objects, over the transport surface; c) a pusher over the transport surface; d) the pusher and the carrier being movable relative to one another between a first position in which the pusher is inside the carrier behind a side-by-side stack of thin objects on the carrier and a second position in which the pusher is laterally displaced from the carrier, such that the side-by-side stack of thin objects on the carrier is laterally slid off of the carrier by the pusher.

Description

[0001]The present application claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 469,828, filed on May 13, 2003, entitled Enhanced Object-Feeder Pre-Processing System and is a continuation-in-part of Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 10 / 400,522, filed on Mar. 28, 2003, entitled Stack Correction System And Method, the disclosures of which are both incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to, among other things, systems for handling mail (including, e.g., flats, envelopes, letters, postcards and / or other mail) and / or other objects, and certain preferred embodiments relate, more particularly, to automated systems for pre-processing mail flats handled by mail flats sorting systems.[0004]2. Background Discussion[0005]The following discussion is based on the inventors' knowledge and should not be construed as admissions of knowledge in the prior art.[0006]Currently, a variety of syste...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides improvements to existing systems for automated loading of prepared mail onto mail processing systems. The invention offers various advantages such as reducing the requirements on operators, increasing accuracy and speed, and being able to handle various machine layouts and facility constraints. The invention can be used in a fully automated operation where carriers of mail are delivered to the system by material handling equipment such as conveyors, transfer mechanisms, elevators, and other means. The invention also allows for the automatic transfer of mail from carriers to conveyors of feeders and can include independent drive mechanisms for the pusher and transporter. Overall, the invention enhances the efficiency and productivity of mail processing systems.

Problems solved by technology

While the USPS processes approximately 200 billion pieces of mail per year, the mail that is processed requires substantial manual loading and tending by operators.

This manual process involves a substantial amount of demanding labor and imposes a set of repetitive motions on the operators performing the loading.

The burden placed upon the operators who feed and / or operate the systems, thus, continues to increase.

Otherwise, the angle of orientation relative to the paddle may vary too substantially.

As a result, the variation in orientation angle will likely cause a decrease in throughput, an increase in multi-feeds, an increase in damage and / or other problems.

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